Priest allowed to be around kids after complaints

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Jun 24, 2014 at 12:07 pm

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A priest accused of molesting boys says leaders in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis allowed him to remain around kids for decades — even though parents complained about his conduct.

Attorneys for a man who claims he was abused by the Rev. Jerome Kern released documents in the case Tuesday, including a sworn deposition in which Kern says he wrestled with kids and horsed around, but didn't think his actions were inappropriate.

He says no one in church leadership told him he should stop the behavior and he wasn't restricted from being around kids. Attorneys for victims say church leaders first got a report about Kern in 1969. He was removed from ministry in 2002.